St. Landry democrat., 1887-07-02

The 1.-THE war in Wales and the strug-
gle against rack rents in Ireland pre-
sent some stirring spectacles of popular
uprisings against intolerable exactions.
The people of Wales are mostly dis
senters and they naturally object to tax
alton for the support of the Anglican
Church in addition to supporting their
own churches. Now that the times are
very hard for the farmers, there has been
a general popular uprising against the
tithes. Recently in the parish of Meitod
in Montgomeryshire an attempt was
made to distrain upon the property of
six farmers who refused to pay the
tithes unless ten per cent. were taken OFT.
SO likely did it seem that the distralnt
would be resisted that force of police
and special constables amounting to $50
men were assembled for duty. At the
first farm a body of these police got be
tween a raging mob and the Hall door :;
but a collision was averted by negotia-
ton between the farmer and a repre-
sentative from the college, and by the
discussions of Methodist minister who
urged the people not to attack the police:
That affair concluded, the police marched
off to Lower Hall Farm accompanied
bvamob of 800 persons, who had driven
to the spot, most of them from different
places. Then, according to the report
of the affair in an English paper
shrieks and yells were set up, which re
sounded through the valley for miles. The
crowd assembled on an embankment to the
left of the Hall close to the building. The po-
lice marched through the farm-yard near to
the Hall door. where the crowd impeded their
progress. and would not give way. The force
were commanded to charge, and scene of
wild confusion followed. The crowd being on
elevated ground were heavier than the police.
and forced them back, with the result that the
ranks were broken and hand-to-hand scuff1e
ensued for some minutes. The Reverend H.
Gritfiths said that gathering looked to him
very much like the funeral OF the Established
Church. The news would flash throughout
the principality. and its effects would soon be
seen in the disestablishment of the English
Church in Wales
The farmer still refused to pay with
out "ten per cent off - the reduction
was. refused-and what was the result
The crowd had by this time increased to
thousands, and the police were marched
away, lit being feared that serious riot
might ensue if the sales were persisted
i'm When an auctioneer who was to
conduct the sales at Meifod was cross
ing the hills in chaise he was over
taken by zap immense crowd who
wrecked the vehicle, dislocating the
shoulder of one of its occupants.
Meanwhile similar scenes are almost
daily presented in Ireland. Recently at
Bodyke, in that country, Mrs. Mona
mara was to be evicted. To see this
done 100 men of the Fusiliers and 200 Of
the ROYAL Irish constabulary had to be
called out AS they neared Bodyke the
chapel bell was kept ringing, while scouts
occupied the hills around, blowing horns
and signaling with red rlags. AS soon as
the troops and police came in sight
some 1000 people assembled on the
hills sent up wild halloo. However, nc
resistance was offered, but it was pres
emily found that Mrs McNamara's house
had been so barricaded that eviction was
almost impossible without destroying the
premises. Windows and doors haC
been removed and the apertures filled
with trunks of trees wedged on the
inside, where fifteen men stood tt
defend the house from intrusion. Be
fore anything could be done, how
ever, the sub-sheritf, Mr.. McMahon
fell suddenly. His face grew livid, BLOOD
| oozed from his mouth" he was in al
epileptic fit To the people it looked
like visitation of Providence. Whe1
his coat was unbuttoned to give him air
loaded revolver was found. Eventu
ally the troops prevailed against thu
! peasants and the widow Mcnamara anC
! her family were made homeless.